Brits Want to Slam the Brakes on Driver Litter

GUILDFORD, England, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Eight in 10 Want to see Driver 'Litterlouts' Punished

As ministers consider changing the *Localism Bill which could mean litter throwing drivers receive  £80 fixed penalty notices, 81% of people agree that 'Litterlouts' should be punished, with more than one in three motorists (34%) wanting to see offenders receive at least three points on their driving according to Your Cover insurance, Allianz Insurance's car insurance brand.

A survey commissioned by Your Cover insurance reveals the depth of feeling motorists have about the issue of highway littering. The research shows:

• 52% said that Litterlouts made them feel angry and frustrated
• 37% said they felt saddened by the fact that people were so lazy and disrespectful

The research also found that a quarter of people are prepared to be have-a-go heroes and confront 'Litterlouts'. And as people get older they are even more prepared to speak up, with a third (31%) of over 55s saying they would stand up to littering motorists, compared to just a fifth (21%) of 18 to 24-year- olds.

Gareth McChesney, Head of Home and Motor Portfolio Management , Your Cover insurance said: "The research strongly indicates that people want something done to tackle the problem of road rubbish. If offenders were to receive points on their licence as a penalty, they could see their insurance premiums rise too in the region of £40 to £50 which would be most unwelcome with motorists already facing steep rises in the cost of running a vehicle. There is a simple solution to this issue. Motorists should simply keep their rubbish in the car until they get to their destination when they can dispose of it."  

Despite Brits having strong feelings about littering, one in 10 (11%) people confess to having tossed rubbish from their cars. The research also revealed that the top five concerns people have about litter being thrown out of vehicles are:

1. The general mess it causes
2. Environmental damage
3. Bad example it sets for children
4. Potential for causing accidents
5. Potential to injure animals

Gareth McChesney continues:

"Litter is an environmental issue that upsets many people who feel angry at seeing the British landscape being used as a rubbish tip. Our research suggests that the public, on the whole, support giving councils extra powers to tackle the problem of road litter and make it easier to fine people seen throwing rubbish from cars.

"At Your Cover insurance we also feel this issue is important from a road safety perspective as it distracts and often annoys people travelling in the vehicle behind the 'Litterlout' and could cause an accident or create a road rage incident. Our research shows that nearly half (49%) of people are concerned that littering could cause accidents."  

A survey of 2000 Britons was undertaken by 72Point on behalf of Allianz Insurance during May 2011.

Allianz Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz SE Group, the largest property and casualty insurer worldwide. Reassuringly in these uncertain financial times, in July 2010 the Standard and Poor's rating for Allianz Insurance was reaffirmed as AA- with a stable outlook and the rating of Allianz SE was also reaffirmed as AA with a stable outlook. Also in July 2010, Allianz Insurance won the General Insurer of the Year title at the prestigious British Insurance Awards, the third time the Company has won the award in the last six years. 

Your Cover insurance quotes are available online at http://www.yourcoverinsurance.co.uk.  

* The Localism Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 December 2010. This Bill will shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils. The Localism Bill has been called upon to deal with the issue of litter, which would make the registered keeper of a car liable for littering offences in the same way they are for speeding tickets or fly-tipping.